August 31, 2005

Senior Micke Subotowicz and the Statesmen have their sights set on returning to the Liberty League tournament. (photo by K. Colton/SportsPics.net)

GENEVA, N.Y.—With 12 returning lettermen and the addition of a wealth of talented newcomers, Head Coach Shawn Griffin is optimistic his team’s luck will change in 2005. The Hobart College soccer team suffered a stretch of tough breaks last season. Although the Statesmen finished with a disappointing overall record of 5-12, they lost eight one-goal games, including five in overtime. Losing four one-goal games inside the conference sealed their Liberty League tournament fate.

The departure of six seniors to graduation was bittersweet for Griffin because although he was excited to see them matriculate, they were his first recruiting class and the foundation of his program.

In the attacking third of the field, the Statesmen will sorely miss the scoring abilities of Ricky Klotz ’05, who led the Liberty League in goals (12) and points (26). During his tenure at the Colleges, the three-time All-Region and All-Liberty League pick ranked second in career goals (40) and points (89). Klotz, who will enter the role of assistant coach, will be able to mentor his running mate, senior Micke Subotowicz (Farsta Gymnasium/Stockholm, Sweden), and the rest of the Hobart strikers.

Subotowicz, the offensive catalyst, has been a mainstay in the Statesmen’s lineup for the past three seasons where he led the 2004 squad in assists (6) and finished second in goals (8) and points (22). The 2003 Liberty League Player of the Year needs to record four assists to break the Hobart career assists record (26), which was established by Jeff Saunders ’92. A versatile player, Subotowicz will be counted on to supply Hobart with a scoring punch from either the striker or attacking midfield position.

In addition to Subotowicz, Hobart returns a pair of seniors with significant experience and talent to its front line. Fellow countryman and classmate, John Rosenbaum (Ostra Reals Gymnasium/Solna, Sweden), who played in 15 games provides the Statesmen with great speed along with three years of varsity experience. A physically imposing striker, Chris Rodgers (Hebron Academy/Marietta, Ga.) will utilize his size and crafty foot work to create scoring opportunities inside the box.

Junior Tucker Crockett (Episcopal Academy/Rosemont, Pa.), who played in seven games as a defender last fall, will move to the attacking third of the field because his solid frame and blue-collar mentality creates a difficult match up for opponents. Sophomore Greg Davidson (Union Springs/Cayuga, N.Y.), deemed the most improved and one of the hardest workers on the team by the coaching staff, will compete for steady minutes on the front line.

Hobart will feature a pair of highly talented first-years that are expected to challenge for quality minutes. A proven goal scorer, Ricky Carvalho (Hollis, N.H.), netted 101 goals during his career at Hollis-Brookline, which earned him All-New England recognition as a senior. A versatile athlete, Matt Schwartz (Lower Merion/Wynnewood, Pa.) has displayed quick feet and a great work ethic throughout the preseason.

Despite losing two members of the 2004 All-Liberty first-team to graduation, the Statesmen return a trio of players to the midfield that saw action in at least 13 games last year. Ben Crosky (Mountain Greylock Regional/Williamstown, Mass) is a strong defensive minded player who will compete for a spot in the defensive midfield. Brad Weinberg (Webster/Webster, N.Y) will play a key role for the Statesmen at the attacking midfield position. Running the flanks will be Brett Klebanoff (Duxbury/Duxbury, Mass.) and Tyler Webster (Acton Boxboro/Acton, Mass.). Klebanoff is a hard working individual who will provide depth on the outside. Webster, a hard shooting lefty, missed the entire 2004 season due to injury has shown no ill effects during preseason. The hard shooting lefty is expected to compete for quality minutes at the outside midfield position

The Statesmen will feature a quartet of highly talented and experienced first-years that will challenge for immediate playing time. Dan Riso (Red Hook Central/Red Hook, N.Y.) who is interchangeable as either a forward or midfielder, creates scoring opportunities with his great touch and explosive speed. Kerlenz Benjamin (Buckingham Browne & Nichols/Cambridge, Mass.), Phil Schoeniger (Lexington/Lexington, Mass.), and Jesse Pereira (Avon Old Farms/Ludlow, Mass.) will provide Hobart with a presence in the defensive midfield. Benjamin led his prep school to the Class A New England Prep School Championship, Schoeniger is a physically imposing defender, and Pereira uses his technical skills to eliminate opponent’s offensive chances.

Captain Jamie Smith (Cheshire/Cheshire, Conn.) returns to anchor the Statesmen’s backline after participating in a study aboard program last fall. Smith, who started 19 games in 2003, will be expected to use his experience and innate leadership skills to command Hobart’s defense. Sophomore Harris Goldman (Rockaway, N.J.), who started every game last season, will return to his spot on the left wing. He possesses a great knowledge of the game along with speed and skills. Senior Matt Dow-Allen (Suffield Academy/Greenfield, Mass.) will provide depth in the back line, fully capable of playing either of the four positions.

First-year’s Thaddeus Simmons (Cardinal Mooney/Bradenton, Fla.) and Devin Wilder (Loomis Chaffee School/Storrs, Conn.) are expected to compete for quality minutes. Simmons matured in a a soccer oriented environment during his tenure at the world-renown I.M.G. Soccer Academy. The fastest member on the Statesmen squad, Wilder, is an athletic and talented defender, who played year-round for the Oakwood Soccer Club.

The starting goalkeeper’s position was the most hotly contested roster spot during the preseason. First-year’s Phil DaCosta (Manchester Memorial/Manchester, N.H.) and Pete Van Dellon (Webster/Webster, N.Y.) distinguished themselves as the frontrunners for the starting nod. DaCosta, who earned All-New Hampshire first-team recognition as a senior, has a physically imposing and vocal presence in the net. Van Dellon, a member of the Rochester Junior Rhinos, excels in the air and his distribution jumpstarts the transition to offense.

First-year Alex Graf (International School of Geneva/Divonne Les Bains, France) will provide Hobart with depth in the net.

The Statesmen will open the season at home on Sept. 1, hosting Cortland State at 4:30 p.m. With a solid group of returning lettermen and a talented group of newcomers, Hobart is determined to qualify for the Liberty League tournament in November.